Jason Alexander boosts 'Christine' rating

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A special guest star once again boosted a CBS comedy to record heights Monday night.

Following last week's visit by Britney Spears to "How I Met Your Mother," Jason Alexander joined fellow "Seinfeld" alum Julia Louis-Dreyfus on the season finale of "The New Adventures of Old Christine." The comedy, which like "Mother" has been considered on the fence for a series renewal, posted its highest rating in nearly two years.

The "Christine" lift helped CBS' Monday night leadership continue amid some week-to-week shifting. Winning the night among total viewers and the demo (12.7 million viewers, 4.4 preliminary adults 18 to 49 rating and an 11 share), CBS maintained its average from last week.

"Big Bang Theory" was down 9% (8.7 million, 3.1/9). Following last week's record-setting episode, "How I Met Your Mother" dropped 11% (9.7 million, 4.0/11) to still garner a quality number. "Two and a Half Men" was up a notch (14.4 million, 5.3/13) . "Christine" went out on a high note, its season finale up 16% week to week (12.4 million, 4.4/11). "CSI: Miami" (million, 4.8/12) was down a tick from last week's return to originals.

ABC came in second with "Dancing With the Stars" down a peg from last week (20.2 million, 5.0/13). "The Bachelor: London Calling," starting earlier this week and including a few minutes of "Dancing" overrun, bounced up 12% (8.8 million, 2.9/7).